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The Kite

Runner
by Kahled
Hosseini
About The Kite Runner

 First Afghan novel to be written in English


 Over 9 million copies sold worldwide
 Translated into over 25 languages
 Is on the list of “Banned and Challenged
Books”
 Kite Running is a popular Afghan pastime.
About The Kite Runner

 The unforgettable, heartbreaking story of the unlikely


friendship between a wealthy boy and the son of his
father’s servant, The Kite Runner is a beautifully crafted
novel set in a country that is in the process of being
destroyed. It is about the power of reading, the price of
betrayal, and the possibility of redemption; and an
exploration of the power of fathers over sons—their love,
their sacrifices, their lies.
 Source: http://khaledhosseini.com/books/the-kite-
runner/synopsis/
What is Kite Running?

 Kite running is literally running after kites


drifting in the sky as part of kite fighting,
which is like racing cars, but with kites in
the air.
About the Author
 Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul,
Afghanistan in 1965.
 His mother was a teacher and his
father a diplomat.
 His family left Afghanistan for a
posting in Paris in 1976, well
before the Communist coup and
the Soviet invasion. They intended
to return, but sought political
asylum in the US in 1980.
 He now lives in California, where
Source: Khaled Hosseini Website he works as a doctor.
http://www.khaledhosseini.com/, (Sherman 2006, p.5)
accessed 17 February 2008.
Hosseini on The Kite Runner
 Hosseini based the novel largely on
fictional detail, but as with all fiction, there
are some autobiographical elements within
 Such as dealing with immigration and
assimilation
 Various childhood/friendship experiences
 Set before the Soviet war in Afghanistan in
hopes of enlightening readers as the
broader, but forgotten, history of
Afghanistan
Afghanistan

Source: http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/AFGHAN-W1.gif Accessed 17 February 2008.


Landscape
Kabul
Introduction to Afghanistan
 An ethnically diverse country.
 As of July 2007, there are approx. 32 million
people estimated to live in Afghanistan.
 Pashtu and Dari are considered the official
languages of Afghanistan and are spoken by
85% of the people.
 30 other minor languages are also spoken in
Afghanistan.
Introduction to Afghanistan
 About 99% of the population is Muslim, and of these
Muslims, 84% belong to the Sunni sect.
 There has been a long history of an ethnic hierarchy
within Afghanistan. It has created imbalances in wealth,
influence and education within its society.
 Traditionally Pashtuns have dominated the country
because they are the presumed majority of the
population.
 As a result, many of the other ethnic groups have not
had a strong voice within the society.
(Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008)
Ethnic Groups

 Pashtuns:
 Majority ethnic group at 42%
 Highest ethnicity on the social ladder and
dominate governmental bodies
 Pashtu is their native language
 Consist mainly of Sunni Muslims
Ethnic Groups
 Tajiks
 27% of population
 Second largest ethnic group
 Identified with agriculture and town life
 Mainly inhabit the fertile eastern valleys
 A group that is considered to have low income and
like many Hazaras, they are not the highest on the
social ladder. However there are Tajiks that are
successful and important members of the
government.
Ethnic Groups
 Hazaras
 9% of Afghanistan’s population
 Reside mainly in the central Afghanistan mountain
region called ‘Hazarajat’
 Historically, the Hazara seem to have Mongolian
origins.
 Most Hazara are Shi’ite Muslims. The 1% which are
not Muslim are either Hindu, Sikh or Jewish.
 Hazaras are considered to be on the lower end of the
socio-economic scale.
Ethnic Groups
 12% of the population is comprised or the
Turkmen (3%) and Uzbeks (9%).
 The remaining 10% of the population is
comprised of the Nuristans, an ancient people of
Mediterranean descent, the Fariswan, the ethnic
Shi’a Persians, the relatively few in number
Baluchis of the south and the scattered
members of the Kuchi and Aimaq nomads.
Source: Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008, p.
14-15.
Historical Events
*See your timeline for more detailed information
1919 – Afghanistan regains independence after third war
against British forces trying to bring the country under
their sphere of influence.
1953 – General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister.
Turns to Soviet Union for economic and military
assistance.
1978 – General Daud is overthrown and killed in a coup by
leftist People’s Democratic Party.
1979 – Power struggle between leftist leaders Hafizullah
Amin and Nur Mohammed Taraki won by Amin. Soviet
Union send in troops to help remove Amin, who is
executed.
Historical Events
1980 – Babrak Karmal, leader of the People’s Democratic
Party Parcham faction is installed as ruler backed by
Soviet troops. Various majahedin troops fight Soviet
forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia
supply money and arms.
1986 – US begins supplying mujahadin with Stinger
missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter
gunships. Babrak Karmal replaced by Najibullah.
1988 – Afghanistan, USSR, US and Pakistan sign peace
accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops.
Historical Events
1989 – Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war
continues as mujahadin push to overthrow
Najibullah.
1991 – US and USSR agree to end military aid to
both sides. Mujahadin triumph.
1992 – Rival militias vie for influence.
1993 – Mujahideen factions agree on formation of
government with ethnic Tajik, Burhanuddin
Rabbani, proclaimed president.
Historical Events
1994 – Factional contests continue. Pashtun-
dominated Taliban emerge as a major challenge
to the Rabbani government.
1996 – Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce
hardline version of Islam. Rabbani flees to join
anti-Taliban northern alliance.
1997 – Taliban recognized as legitimate rulers by
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Most other countries
continue to regard Rabbani as head of state.
Historical Events
1999 – United Nations imposes an air embargo and
financial sanctions to force Afghanistan to hand over
Osama bin Laden for trial (he had bombed US embassies
in Africa in 1998).
2001 – September 11 – attacks on US
2001 - October – US and Britain launch air strikes against
Afghanistan after Taliban refuse to hand over Osama bin
Laden.
2001 – November – Taliban falls.
Source: Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008, p. 24-26
Taliban Rules for Women
 May not work outside the  Must wear the long veil
home. (burqa) which covers
 May not participate in any them from head to toe.
activity outside the home  If found guilty of adultery,
unless accompanied by will be publically stoned
her husband or male to death.
relative.  May not laugh loudly – no
 May not be treated by stranger should hear a
male doctor. woman’s voice.
 May not study at any  May not wear high heels
institutions, including – no man should hear a
schools and universities. woman’s footsteps.
Taliban Rules for Everyone
 No one can listen to  In any sporting event, no
music. one may clap.
 No one can watch  Anyone who converts
television, movies or from Islam to any other
videos. religion will be executed.
 No citizen can have a  No burying of anyone
non-Islamic name. who was killed by the
 Men may not shave or Taliban. Bodies must
trim their beards. remain in the streets as
 No one may fly kites. examples to other
‘wrongdoers’.
Source: Amnesty International USA The Kite Runner Companion Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhigh.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008, p. 40-41
Sources
Amnesty International USA. The Kite Runner Companion
Curriculum.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/education/pdf/kiterunnerhig
h.pdf Accessed on 17 February 2008.
Khaled Hosseini Website. http://www.khaledhosseini.com/,
accessed 17 February 2008.
Sherman, Sue 2006. Cambridge Wizard Student Guide: The
Kite Runner, Cambridge University Press, Port
Melbourne.
http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/AFGHAN-
W1.gif Accessed 17 February 2008.

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